We adopted Maggie at the age of 10. At the time having an older dog that was calmer, but still wanted to play was what we needed and were looking for. So adopting an older JRT was perfect for us at the time. We had two wonderful years with her before we had to help her to the bridge due to heart failure. Because of her if the chance and timing is right I would adopt an older dog again.

It isn't just dog food that costs a lot more. I started going across the border to do most of my shopping about 6 months ago. A few days ago our dollar was at .95 cents to the U.S dollar. But it is still cheaper for me to drive the 40 minutes to go across the river. Thank goodness we are allowed to bring pet food back over as long at it isn't an open bag.

Oh just a tip to save money. From time to time companies that have FB sometimes put coupons on their page that you can print off. All you have to do is like the page to get them and you can print off two per computer.

I looked in the back seat and Maggie and my son. They were sitting there all excited. Even seemed to give me the same look as a snapped a photo of the two of them. It was then I knew they were going to be best buds.

Skippy and Vivace were brought to me by my sister since I wasn't able to pick them up myself, due to distance and she was going to be close to were they were. (Skippy past London, ON and Vivace was in MI)

Gumpy, as he was lovingly known, was first fostered by the McDougall family in June 2007, and they knew the moment they got him he was a special dog. Although Gumpy had his issues they knew that with love and hard work he would be great, it was just finding the right outlet for him to show who he really was and give him the extra confidence and trust he needed with people. In August of 2007 they decided that they would adopt him and give him his forever home; this was his last chance and they decided that he was well worth it! A lot of other people would have given up on this little dog but the McDougall’s saw more: they saw a dog that needed a second chance to discover what life could be with a family that loved and respected him.

They quickly discovered that he was happiest when he was around water. It was as many would call an addiction, so they decided to enter him into dock diving events where he could exert this abundance of energy that he had They soon found that this wasn’t just an ordinary dog jumping into the water. The drive and determination that he had lead him to compete with some of the top dogs in the world, diving more than 20 feet. His love for Sarah and the ability to fly brought him to the forefront. Many said that he was a big dog trapped in a little dog’s body! But just when they found his love for something he was struck suddenly with lymphoma but of course this didn’t stop him. While undergoing treatment he remained happy and never slowed down, and he continued to have the same determination and drive that he always had. This earned him the name of “Feisty Forrest.” He often competed in the JRT Fun days and would run as long as you would let him. His favorite was to go to ground and super earth!

Sarah and Gumpy were inseparable, often found either at events competing or at the Canal just jumping and swimming. It took allot of work on Sarah’s part to get this dog to trust her and she spent many hours just practicing tricks with him. Because of the life that he had before he was adopted he developed a fear of people and during many competitions Sarah would be found walking with him and assuring him that he was safe. When people would want to come up and pet him she would hold him close.

The love they shared is something not often seen and is something to be admired. Although his fight with lymphoma had him going through many rounds of chemo and he relapsed three times he remained happy. He earned many titles doing what he loved to do even though he was sick. He won 6 National Diving Championships and even travelled as far as Arizona to do so and was ranked Top Lap dog World Wide with three organizations.

Even though this little dog was so well known and earned so many titles what Sarah loved most about her dog was being just able to spend some quality time with him on and off the dock and in their down time they would often be found just cuddling together. Sarah and Gumpy were meant to be together.

In August of 2008 they were given the chance to show the world what this little dog could do by receiving an invitation to appear on the David Letterman show. He jumped 23'6" and showed the world what a little rescue dog with cancer was capable of. He was also showcased as a feature clip on CHCH a local TV station showing again his amazing drive and determination.

After the 2008 DockDogs season was completed Sarah and Gumpy were nominated and won DockDogs most inspiring team. This was quite something for a young girl of only 14 and her dog that wouldn’t have had the opportunities he did without having the second chance this family offered him.

Right to the end Gumpy showed his determination and drive but unfortunately his fight with this terrible disease was what beat him. Although he has gone to the Rainbow Bridge he will never be forgotten and will live on in the hearts of those he touched forever.

There is a very special message here that we can all learn from, something Sarah and Gumpy have taught us, always fight through your fears, live in the moment and love like there is no tomorrow…

Gumpy, like all dogs, lived in the moment and if it wasn’t for Sarah and the McDougalls this dog would have had fewer moments.

Rest in Peace Gumpy and Jump to your hearts content in that big pool in the sky!

We live in a townhouse complex and had a fire once. At the time we didn't have any dogs but had 3 cats in the house. Thankfully I had a sticker on the door stating that there were pets in the house, what kind and how many. The fire dept were able to get 2 of the three cats out of the house safely. Sadly the kitten who was hiding in the basement were the fire started didn't make it out. But they did search the house for him.

I was told that if it wasn't for the sticker they would of never of known the cats were in the house before I could tell them, as I was also dealing with my children who were upset and in another unit so they wouldn't see what was going on. I totally believe that having some kind of notice on your door stating there are pets in the house is a must.

If I was to do things all over again, I would still of adopted my Maggie. She was 10 when we got her and only had her a short 2 1/2 years. We never planed on getting a senior pup, but were sure glad we did. She was the perfect first time dog for my son and they were best buds from the day she came home.

We had a foster here a few years ago that was addicted to t.v. He was only happy having the run of the whole house when it was just me and him at home. So I would let him chill out in my room and would leave the t.v on. Every time I would go up there to pay attention to him he would just be laying there glued to it. If I shut it off I would get the dirtiest look. Oliver didn't have the greatest of life before coming to me and sadly what helped to the bridge after being with me for 3 weeks.(he was older and was in pain that the vet said it was not fair to let him keep suffering) But we always made sure that he had is favorite activity while he was here. Silly JRT.

My human sister use to paint my nails all the time. She even painted them blue to match my snow white costume every time I had it on. Mom never knew what color my nails would be from one week to another. I would just lay there and let my human sister paint them.

My cat that I had since I was 10 sadly passed when I was 26. At the time we couldn't afford to pay more than to have to helped to the bridge. The vets office had her cremated and we actually received a letter letting me know where her ashes were spreed. It was a pet cemetery which was really comforting to know.

When I lost Maggie in Feb, I was able to have her cremated and her ashes returned to me. Her urn with her ashes is still sitting in the box that it came in. It sits on a shelf on my desk with her blanket, her snow white outfit, photo, newspaper clipping of her and my daughter and her collar and tags. We are just waiting to paint the living room and then putting everything on a special shelf that will be close to the sunny spot she loved to lay in. It still hurts to much to open the box yet. I refuse to until her special place is perfect.

It really ticks me off how some parents don't watch their kids. There are a few that live in the co-op and they are devil kids. One got into my house one day when we were away for the day. I had left my back door unlock so the dog sitter could get in to let the dogs out. Well I guess this one kid came into my house and must of hit Maggie with a ball because that would of been the only way he would of gotten past the door. When we got home she wouldn't even go out back to go potty. Thankfully a few nieghbours caught the two kids that did make it into the house and man they got in trouble. (well one did anyways)
An other time we were having a b-day party for my youngest and this one girl went and hit Maggie because she wouldn't let go of a toy. My bf saw it and told me. I kicked the kid out and told the parent. Nothing really was done but she has not been allowed to even touch my animals or come into my house since then.

Both these kids have pets and knew that hitting an animal is wrong. But they are both allowed to do just about anything they want to.

I love kids but can't stand when parents don't teach them what is right or wrong. Growing up I don't remember kids getting away with what they do now. My crew are punished but around here you even have to watch how to punish your own child or you have children's protective services at your door.